How long would you wait for the love of your life?The Asher Bailey who comes home to his quirky small town isn’t the same man who put a ring on Grace’s finger. He’s bigger, harder, haunted. Forced to give up Grace and everything else that was good in his life for a prison sentence he barely survived. Now that he’s home, he finds himself aggressively welcomed by his brothers and gleefully gossiped … brothers and gleefully gossiped about by his neighbors. He’d counted on both.
But he never expected to see Grace still wearing his ring.
Grace’s fairy tale didn’t end. It was interrupted. She’s spent the last seven years living her life while waiting for one man. Now that he’s back, she’s got her work cut out for her. He’s scarred and angry, and stubbornly convinced they can’t be together. She’s more than happy to educate him otherwise.
Every beer, every prank, every kiss brings him closer to where he’s always belonged. In her life. In her arms. In her heart.
Asher fears the darkness inside him can’t be contained. But Grace won’t give up on him without a fight.
Author’s note: A brooding, wounded hero and the woman who won’t give up on him. A pack of unruly, prank-loving brothers. A wild neighborhood rumor mill. Spectacular BFF banter. This is a love story about soulmates that delivers the heat and all the feels. The Bailey Brothers series is meant to be read in order and Fighting for Us concludes Grace and Asher’s happily ever after.
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I swear, my heart was in my doggone throat after reading Protecting You. Completely on edge until I finished Fighting for Us. Bravo, Claire! You absolutely did not disappoint.
Wow, what an emotionally, gut-wrenching story about accepting changes in life, forgiveness, the power of healing and love. We pick up years after Protecting You ends. Asher is released and having to deal with adjustments and living a free life. Grace has been living, but not fully because her other half wasn’t with her, but her love for Asher has gotten her through the time. However, is love enough for Grace and Asher to accept each other for who they are now and move forward in the future they once wanted to build together? Or are past events powerful enough to tear them apart? Asher and Grace take you on one emotional rollercoaster that has you hooked from the beginning. Read this book, you won’t regret it! I also can’t wait to see what they other Bailey Brothers get up to!
Fighting for Us is the next book in the Bailey family. I highly suggest you read the prequel, Protecting You, before starting Fighting for Us so that you are familiar with Grace and Asher’s early years and the tragedy that took place. This book picks up seven years after Protecting You. Grace has kept her promise to not give up on Asher even though he said it was over. She has lived the past seven years waiting for Asher to return to her; however, when Asher was released from prison, he is full of resentment and anger and really doesn’t know how to control it and move on. Their connection is still as strong as ever but Asher is afraid to recommit to Grace for fear of hurting her all over again. Grace also has issues that she has repressed from the incident and needs to learn how to work through this. Their love story is an emotional, heartfelt and angsty one about two people who are afraid to face the past and look forward to the future. Their love is still there but buried under guilt and resentments. Thankfully for Grace, her best friend Cara, and Asher’s brothers are there to help her through these tough times. The Bailey brothers are just what Asher needs to get his head on straight and realize that he cannot lose his soulmate. This book consumed me. Once I started, I did not want to put it down until I was finished. There were cameo appearances from the Miles family which will brighten anyone’s day. The banter between the brothers and Grace is hilarious. This is one of Claire’s best works to date. I highly recommend you add this to your TBR. You will not be disappointed.
This was such a special book. I was so satisfied after reading it I could have used a cigarette and I don’t even smoke. This is Claire Kingsley’s best work yet, and I was already a giant fan. She’s broken through to some other dimension of writing I wasn’t aware existed where her words directly squeezed my emotions. I loved the Miles family series and this just takes that wonderful world, expands it, and brings it to a whole other level.
Worth the wait!
If you read Claire Kingsley’s Mile’s Family series you have been impatiently waiting for half sister Grace’s happily ever after. Well, let me say, that this book was everything and a little bit more. The struggle Asher faces upon being released from prison will have your heart twisting especially as it trickles onto his relationship with Grace. I found it refreshing to read a story where love conquers all but the hero and heroine had to work for it. That to me is what made this happily ever after so satisfying.
An emotionally charged journey.
Asher and Grace have been friends and then lovers all their lives. A terrible event scars Grace and imprisons Asher for 7 years. When he comes home he is scarred by both the event and the incarceration. How they manage to find their way back to each other is a beautiful and painful story that kept me riveted and left me filled with joy. I recommend this book with all my heart.
After spending seven years in prison Asher Bailey is released. Grace Miles is left in the dark about him coming home. When they crossed paths he is angry and she is shocked. So many emotions running through them at the same time. While he spent those seven years fighting, she spent those years building their dream. They have their best fight ahead of them.
I am an avid Claire Kingsley fan; I have loved everything she has written. The Miles family was my favorite until she wrote the Bootleg series with Lucy Score, which then took the top spot, but…holy cow…take those two series and imagine them having a baby and BOOM..my new favorite series and it’s only the second book! Hands down, 10 stars. Absolutely amazing! It grabbed me by the heart strings and wouldn’t let go. It was sweet, sexy, hilarious and oh so heartbreaking!
Now that Asher was home, what was he going to do? His dreams for the future died years before and he knew he could never get them back. Even with everyone’s help, he was quickly spiraling out of control. How could he ever be the man he was before, Grace deserved better and he was determined to prove that.
Grace had waited even though Asher said it was over. She wasn’t sure who was more surprised, him realizing she never took the ring off or her seeing him for the first time. She knew she had to be patient and she knew he was a different man. It didn’t matter to her, he was the man for her and she was ready to fight for it.
Seriously…wow!! Loved! Loved! Loved! All the Sasquatch references made me smile!! We actually visited the area last summer and they take him very seriously up there!! I am so excited to continue this series, I loved every character! Cara and Logan cracked me up! Logan’s “bro” names!!! And the squirrels!!! Claire outdid herself!
Asher and Grace’s story make you ask can love conquer all. Asher has been in prison for years all for protecting the love of his life. Grace has been counting down until her love is released from jail. Asher is released early and he is not ready to rejoin the outside life. Grace is shocked and happy to see him until her enthusiasm isnt returned. What happens when your forever is not looking like is going to happen. Asher and Grace have to overcome their past to get to a future and when they do their love shines bright.
Asher Bailey and Grace Miles’ story continues in book two, “Fighting for Us”, and it was a standout for sure. These two were destined to be together and I knew Claire wouldn’t let us down! Anything good in life is worth fighting for and I so admired Grace, our heroine, for her unwavering support, loyalty and strength. It’s no secret that Asher Bailey is sentenced to 8 years in prison as that is how “Protecting You” ends, and when he is suddenly released a year early, he comes out a changed man.
This original storyline is filled with so much angst, hope, and passion. I do believe in soul mates and the author writes with such poise as she describes their internal battles and how the trauma of what happened that night and their time apart has affected them. I especially liked how her letters to him were interjected in between chapters to give you a feel of what was happening during their time apart.
The author is very careful with the details so it’s not over the top, but you understand exactly what is in his heart and mind, and you just want to give Asher a giant hug! How he survived and dealt with the aftermath of trying to acclimate back into society was gut wrenching and real.
In the beginning, Asher is lost as being a felon severed his dream of being a firefighter and inspector, and through trial and error, he discovered a new career goal which was not only rewarding, but perfectly fitting for him. Yay Asher!
Grace is someone I admire so much. She persevered as a victim of a brutal attack as well as losing her finance as a result, purchased and is renovating their dream home, works full-time as a manager, makes keeping in touch with his family and hers a priority, and to top it off, has a bada$$ best friend whom I would want by my side, too. Cara was just so fun, sassy, and beat to her own drum. I loved her generous heart, and how she described all the men! We can only hope that she gets her chance at love with one of the Bailey Brothers.
There were so many layers woven into this beautiful story and we learned more about Grace’s parents and her younger brother, Ellie, and what he was going through as a pre-teen; we get to visit the Miles family (her half-siblings) a couple times which was wonderful for me; got to know the grown-up yummy Bailey brothers, and my favorite, the wisdom bestowed upon all of them by their awesome Gram!
The emotional and physical chemistry, and deep-rooted, forever-kind-of-love between Asher and Grace was evident on every page. It was painful for them to have to deal with the past and not be bitter, and my heart actually hurt for them. But wounds of the heart heal and I loved how they knew each other, and loved each other, since childhood, and witnessing their journey back together. I especially liked how they embraced the help of a mental health professional as they both carried big burdens and this type of therapy is key to emotional healing.
Forgiveness and letting go is a beautiful thing and Claire Kingsley writes romance like no other! Fighting For Us ends with what I can only hope is the beginning of book three, because I want more for sure (don’t worry, it is not a cliffhanger)! It’s going to bring tears for sure, but with a HEA worth the wait.
Grace & Asher finally have their reunion, not at all how either envisioned it. After 7 years of fighting their own demons they try to continue their relationship. However they haven’t fought their demons, just merely suppressed them. Eventually those emotions surface and erupt spectacularly leading to the true journey to move past the horrendous events they have lived through.
As usual the supporting cast of the Bailey Brothers, the Miles family and the entertaining Cara lend brilliantly to this endearing story of second chance romance, which was only ever a first time romance.
Book two in the Bailey Brother Series picks up 7 years after Protecting You (Book #1) and brings us the continued story of Asher and Grace. Sadly, they are both broken in their own ways and we find that Grace hasn’t really moved forward much at all, at least emotionally. She’s doing well with work and even purchased the home she and Asher dreamed of owning together, but she’s waiting for her life to start and clinging to the promises Asher made to her.
Asher is up against a lot when he is unexpectedly released from jail; he hasn’t had the time to prepare for his release, so getting used to being around family again is hard for him.
Their story is a tough one, yet so worth reading because they truly have to fight for their HEA.
Looking forward for the next book in the series!
I absolutely fell in love with the Miles family and have been not so patiently waiting for Grace to get her turn at her HEA. There was so much mystery around her fiancé that the Miles siblings had never met and I needed to know what was up.
After reading Protecting You, I was heartbroken for Grace and Asher. I spent a good part of this book in tears but also laughing at the shenanigans the Bailey crew gets up to.
I didn’t think I’d love a family as much as the Miles but the Baileys are coming in hot for first place. I’m already feeling grabby hands for the next book and I barely finished this one.
This was a wonderful & emotional ending to Asher & Grace’s story. Their relationship may have been interrupted but to Grace it wasn’t over. She lived for the day when Asher would be released from prison so they could continue their relationship, even if it meant not planning their wedding right away. My heart broke for what both went through for the past 7 years and how much they had to work through it all to finally get to their HEA. Grace is still her sweet self but Asher has changed a lot, didn’t think Grace would still be wearing his ring & waiting for him. Grace herself changed in a few ways too but it was amazing to see how they both persevered. I loved Grace’s friend Cara, who was sassy, snarky but also loving. I was so happy to see the Miles family appear in this book too and see how the Bailey brothers have grown up (or in some cases, not at all!). I cannot wait for the next book in this series!!
Intense!
This was one of the most dramatic and intense books I’ve read in a long time!
Asher Bailey is out of prison, but that doesn’t mean he is, by any means, ready to pick up where he left off with Grace Miles. They both have lots of healing to do and a lot of things to overcome, both internal and external. But you know the best happily ever afters are the hard-earned ones!
Grace has worked hard to sustain their love through separation and stubbornness. Asher is just trying to make it through the day without exploding. With the help of their families and friends they slowly, slowly make their way back to each other and it’s worth the wait!
Fighting for Us is book two in the Bailey Brothers series by Claire Kingsley. This is the rest of Asher and Grace’s story. If you haven’t already, you really need to read the first book, Protecting You, to get the beginning. This is told in alternating point of views, both Asher’s and Grace’s.
It’s been seven long years that Asher has spent in prison. Seven hard, brutal years. Seven years that turned Asher into someone else, someone that had to do whatever was necessary to stay alive. Seven years that he completely cut himself off from the outside world. But now, without any time to prepare himself, he’s free. He’s forced with the task of learning to live again, getting to know the brothers who are now all men, and seeing Grace again. The only woman he ever loved. But also the woman he let go. He was not prepared at all to see that she still wore his engagement ring on her finger. That she still called him her fiancé.
“She’d been writing to a man who didn’t exist anymore. He was gone. I was the wreckage that was left.”
Grace’s reunion with the man she never stopped loving was nothing like she’d been imagining it all these years. She knows it will be hard for Asher to readjust to life again. She wasn’t prepared, though, for him to continue to push her away. But, when she considers giving up, giving him what he says he wants, she looks into his eyes, and still sees the boy she always loved, her other half. And she knows, she can never walk away. She has to fight.
Asher and Grace’s path is not an easy one. Asher has so much anger inside. He might be free in a legal sense. He might be walking around town, doing as he pleases. But on the inside, he’s still in that prison cell, always looking over his shoulder, never able to let down his guard.
Grace is so strong. There’s never any question as to how much these two love each other. But it’s Grace that is the glue. She’s the one with the never failing acceptance that they are meant to be together always. And we also see that she didn’t come out of what happened to her without scars either. She’s just better at keeping it hidden.
This was full of so many painful things to read, but also so many sweet moments, sexy times, and silly times. The brothers are all so unique and I look forward to getting to know each of their secrets in their books. I have to also mention Grace’s best friend, Cara. This girl kind of stole the show. She’s so much fun, and so loyal. She was truly Grace’s “person.” I so hope she will get her own book. The epilogue teases us as to what comes next in this series and I can’t wait to find out more!
Big Love
Fighting For Us is the continuation of Asher and Grace’s story. This story brings us to 7 years after the end of Protecting You. Those years have been challenging for everyone involved. Not just Grace and Asher, but all of The Bailey Brothers as well. As you can image this book is emotional and achy and reflective. It is also infused with humor and family and hope. Asher and Grace are clearly tethered to one another. Their bond is magnetic and powerful, but is it strong enough to defeat their internal turmoil and trauma?
Grace has been fighting for their love, even when Asher thought he was down for the count. Now it’s time to see if Asher is willing to fight too. I loved Gram’s gentle wisdom and kindness throughout this story. My admiration for these characters grew exponentially as their family interactions multiplied. Grace and Asher’s HEA was earned with patience, passion, perspective, and unyielding effort. I can’t wait to learn more about the Bailey Brothers as this series continues. And maybe a bit more about the mysterious Eliza Bailey, too.
The second book in the Bailey Brothers series, Fighting for Us continues Asher and Grace’s story. The writing is beautiful and the story-telling is engaging and emotional and will have you cheering for these characters from the beginning. This book has every possible thing you want in a love story… angst, heartbreak, hilarious banter, mystery, twists, second chances, true love, and a happily ever after.
I volunteered to review an advance reader copy of this book.
Fighting for us is a continuation of Protecting What Is Mine.
This book has all the feels and will have you processing for days, how beautiful their love for each other was definitely worth the fight,.
Asher Bailey, did not break when he was in prison, but now he is home and he knows that he is broken and that Grace Miles deserves better. He told her not to wait for him, but that is not what she did.
Grace Miles has waited seven years for the man she loves, wearing the engagement ring he placed on her hand. As far as she is concerned, this was just a set back and when he gets out of prison, they will continue their life together.
As they both battle their demons, they find themselves and fighting for what they both want, their happy ever after.
I can’t wait to see what Claire Kingsley, has in store for the rest of the Bailey family.
Wow
This is only my second book by Claire but I’m absolutely amazed with this story, the detail and development as well as the characters This story sucked me in and held on tight with its roller coaster of emotions but also the story itself Grace and Asher suffer through a tragedy where Asher gets sent to prison for eight years. When he gets out, rather than picking up where they left off, they both realise they are altered from their individual experiences but will their demons cause them to give up of fight harder to be together?
Absolutely loved Asher and Grace, had a few teary eyed moments which I admit doesn’t happen often but Claire seemed to just pull the emotions out of me I received an advanced copy and I voluntarily leave my honest review and eagerly await Evan’s story next